This morning there were rumours that at a Qantas aircraft had crashed over Indonesia’s Batam Island – this was incorrect as the aircraft had actually made an emergency landing after engine trouble ensued shortly after take off.

Qantas chief executive officer Alan Joyce said Qantas would suspend A380 services “until we are confident that Qantas safety requirements have been met.”

In a statement, Qantas said: “The aircraft had 440 passengers and 26 crew on board.

“In line with procedure, the pilot sought priority clearance for its return to Singapore. The aircraft landed safely at 11.45am local time.

“Some media reports suggested the aircraft had crashed. These reports are incorrect. No Qantas aircraft has crashed.”

It added in an updated report at 4.20pm today: “There have been no injuries to any customers or crew. The aircraft is currently de-boarding and hotels are currently being organised for customers and crew.

“We are currently planning for an aircraft to depart for Singapore to bring passengers back to Sydney tomorrow morning. Passengers on QF32 are being accommodated in Singapore.”

Witnesses to the incident report that they heard a loud explosion and saw plumes of smoke as the plane flew overhead. They also reportedly saw pieces of fuselage drop to the ground.

[…] is not the first incident involving a Rolls-Royce engine, towards the end of 2010 a Qantas A380 made an emergency landing following a mid-air explosion of one of its engines; and last July a SIA A380 from Singapore to Hong Kong was forced to turn back after an engine shut […]